Rotatable structure



- having the usual wheel flange 1 Patented July 31, -1-945 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,380,862 4 ROTATABLE STRUCTURE Hunter Michaels, New York, N. Y., assig'nor to American Locomotive Company,'New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 5, 1943, Serial No. 489,756

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a rotatable structure, and more particularly toretaining means for holding a rim-like member and an annular member mounted thereon, forming part of said structure, against relative rotative movement.

The object of the present invention is to provide a retainer for positively preventing rotative movement between a rim-like member and an annular member mounted thereon.

While the invention is intended to include rotatable structures generally having the above characteristics, it is, for illustrative purposes, shown in connection with a railway vehicle wheel where it has decided merit.

Referring to the drawing forming a part of this application, Figure ,1 is a front elevation of a wheel embodying. the present invention, parts being brokenaway; Fig. 2 is an isometric view,

partly in section, of a portion of thewheel showing a tire retainer; Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, with the parts opened up in raised positions; and Fig. 4 is a view, similar to Fig. 2, of a modification of the invention.

The railway vehicle wheel, indicated generally by the reference numeral I, may beof any desired design, the type chosen for-illustratiOn purposes including a center 2 having a hub 3, a rim 4 and a web 5 connecting the hub and rim, and a tire 6 for engaging a track.

The rim has an outer cylindrical face 8, a front side face 9 and a rear side face Ill. The tire has an innercylindrical face H, a front side face :2 and a rear side face I3. The face I! engages the face 8.

The retainer of the present iH'v'QfitiOll contemplates tongue and groove means to lock the tire and wheel center rim together to positively prevent rotative movement therebetween, such for instance as rotative movement caused by brake application heating and expanding the tire and loosening it on the rim. As many of these retainers may be employed as desired, four being employed in the present instance, at equal distances apart. However, in the case of a railway vehicle wheel, it is believed that a single retainer vention the tire is so made as to have a portion of the tire on the rim. This is important for were the slot l5 made in the face ll, incipient'manuin the face 8 and extends across the rim from the face 9 to the face I0. A channel-shaped key I1 providing front and rear lugs l8 and a connecting plate I!) having an outer face 2u,'fits upon the rim with the plate I9 in the slot l6 and with the front and rear lugs l8 extending beyond the rim and overlapping the rim front and rear faces 9 and I0 respectively, the front lug l8 fitting in the slot I5 and the face 20 being flush with the face 8.

In assembling the parts, the key is first placed in position on the rim and the tire is then shrunk on the rim, the tire being positioned in front of the wheel center with the slot H5 in registry with the slot [6, and then moved upon the rim until I the slot I5 engages the front lug I8.

Fig. 4 shows a modification of the invention. The slot l6 and key H of .the first embodiment are not here employed, but instead a lug 2!, integral with the rim at the face 9' thereof, is employed, the lug 2! serving in place of the front lug I8 of the first embodiment and fitting in the slot [5 formed in the lip I4. There will be, ofcourse, as many of the interfltting lugs 2i and slots l5 as desired. In this embodiment the face 3' i; .uninmmipted, providing the best mounting for face I I.

While there have been herelnbefore described approved embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that many and various changes and modifications in form,- arrangement of parts and details of construction thereof, may be made 4 means will'be suflicient. In carrying out the inextending forwardly of the face 9, from which Portion extends radially inwardly a lip 14 overlapping face 9.

As the tongue and groove connections shown in Fig. 1 are similar, only one will be described. Accordingly a rectangular slot [5 is formed in the lip M. It will be noted that by disposing the slot IS in the lip I only and nctin the face I I, the face ll presents an uninterru ted surface for support without departing from the spirit of the inven- Mon, and that all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope or the appended claim are contemplated as a part of this invention.

1 The invention claimed and desired to be se-. cured by Letters Patent is:

A railway vehicle wheel comprising a one-piece rim having an outer cylindrical face with a transverse groove; a bar housed in said groove flush with said face, having extended permanent end flanges engaging the sides of said rim; and a demountable tire having an inner continuous cylindrical face tightly engaging said rim face and a flange engaging a side of said rim provided with a groove therein engaging the bar flange adjacent thereto.

HUNTER MICHAELS. 

